homes & people january 2015

In this issue

Tell us your viewsSee page 6-7

Apprenticeships recruiting now! See page 5

page 7

How do you give your views

Newcastle City Council is looking at how council tenants can influence

decisions that are made about their homes, and how they can

challenge those decisions.

This applies to the decisions taken by the Council as your landlord but also includes the

policies Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) is asked to carry out on behalf of the Council.

These decisions could be about local housing policy as agreed by the City Council, or national

policies set by Central Government.

They want to improve the opportunities available to you to ensure that your views are

understood. We want to make sure that you can get involved – whichever part of the city

you live in. Please take the time to complete the survey.

All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three

£25 Eldon Square vouchers.

Please send us your completed survey to Customer Involvement, FREEPOST RTJE-YLHB-RUYK,

Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by

Tuesday 3 February 2015.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and best of luck in your prize draw entry.

1 Do you agree or disagree that you can influence the services and decisions that affect

your home and the local environment?

Strongly agree Agree

Disagree Strongly Disagree

Don’t know

2 Please tell us how you currently give your views about your local area, housing services

and neighbourhood issues? (Tick all the options that apply to you.)

Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office

Attend councillor surgeries

Attend a local residents meeting Meeting organised by YHN Meeting organised by NCC

Meeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary group (please tell us who):

Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP

I don’t get involved

Other (please tell us how):3 From the methods you have ticked above, which do you think gives you the strongest

voice and has the most influence on decisions made?

(Please tick the three options that give you the most influence)

Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office



Meeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary sector (please tell us who):

Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP

I don’t get involved

Other (please tell us how):#

page 7











Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX


Do you agree or disagree that you can influence the services and decisions that affect

Strongly DisagreeDon’t know

Please tell us how you currently give your views about your local area, housing services

(Tick all the options that apply to you.)


Meeting organised by NCC

Meeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary group (please tell us who):I don’t get involved

From the methods you have ticked above, which do you think gives you the strongest


Meeting organised by NCC

Meeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary sector (please tell us who):I don’t get involved

page 7

How do you give your viewsNewcastle City Council is looking at how council tenants can influence decisions that are made about their homes, and how they can challenge those decisions. This applies to the decisions taken by the Council as your landlord but also includes the policies Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) is asked to carry out on behalf of the Council.These decisions could be about local housing policy as agreed by the City Council, or national policies set by Central Government.They want to improve the opportunities available to you to ensure that your views are understood. We want to make sure that you can get involved – whichever part of the city you live in. Please take the time to complete the survey.All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £25 Eldon Square vouchers.Please send us your completed survey to Customer Involvement, FREEPOST RTJE-YLHB-RUYK, Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by Tuesday 3 February 2015.Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and best of luck in your prize draw entry.

1 Do you agree or disagree that you can influence the services and decisions that affect your home and the local environment?

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’t know2 Please tell us how you currently give your views about your local area, housing services and neighbourhood issues? (Tick all the options that apply to you.) Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office Attend councillor surgeries Attend a local residents meeting Meeting organised by YHN Meeting organised by NCC Meeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary group (please tell us who):

Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP I don’t get involved Other (please tell us how):

3 From the methods you have ticked above, which do you think gives you the strongest voice and has the most influence on decisions made? (Please tick the three options that give you the most influence) Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office Attend councillor surgeries

Attend a local residents meeting Meeting organised by YHN Meeting organised by NCC Meeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary sector (please tell us who):

Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP I don’t get involved Other (please tell us how):

#


page 7

How do you give your viewsNewcastle City Council is looking at how council tenants can influence decisions that are made about their homes, and how they can challenge those decisions. This applies to the decisions taken by the Council as your landlord but also includes the policies Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) is asked to carry out on behalf of the Council.These decisions could be about local housing policy as agreed by the City Council, or national policies set by Central Government.They want to improve the opportunities available to you to ensure that your views are understood. We want to make sure that you can get involved – whichever part of the city you live in. Please take the time to complete the survey.All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three£25 Eldon Square vouchers.Please send us your completed survey to Customer Involvement, FREEPOST RTJE-YLHB-RUYK, Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by Tuesday 3 February 2015.Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and best of luck in your prize draw entry.1 Do you agree or disagree that you can influence the services and decisions that affect

your home and the local environment?Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’t know2 Please tell us how you currently give your views about your local area, housing services and neighbourhood issues? (Tick all the options that apply to you.) Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office Attend councillor surgeriesAttend a local residents meeting Meeting organised by YHN Meeting organised by NCCMeeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary group (please tell us who):Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP I don’t get involvedOther (please tell us how):

3 From the methods you have ticked above, which do you think gives you the strongest voice and has the most influence on decisions made?(Please tick the three options that give you the most influence)Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office Attend councillor surgeries

Attend a local residents meeting Meeting organised by YHN Meeting organised by NCCMeeting organised by independent organisation/voluntary sector (please tell us who):Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP I don’t get involvedOther (please tell us how):

## page 7




challenge those decisions.







you live in.

Please take the time to complete the survey.




Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by




your home and the local environment?

Strongly agree Agree Disagree

Strongly Disagree Don’t know


and neighbourhood issues? (Tick all the options that apply to you.)

Attend a ward committee Contact the Housing Office Attend councillor surgeries



Fill in a survey or questionnaire

Contact an MP I don’t get involved

Other (please tell us how):

3 From the methods you have ticked above, which do you think gives you the strongest

voice and has the most influence on decisions made?





Fill in a survey or questionnaire

Contact an MP I don’t get involved


#

January/February 2015Bringing you all the news that matters to you

homes people&

Your Homes Newcastle Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 5076256.Registered offi ce: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PR.A company controlled by Newcastle City Council.

Designed by: barkingdog design and layout. Printed by: Mosaic Print Management Plcpage 2

YHN Housing Services

Other numbers

YHN Housing Services @ Byker 0191 278 1555

YHN Housing Services @ East End 0191 278 1566

YHN Housing Services @ Kenton 0191 277 4360

YHN Housing Services @ Outer West 0191 277 7940

YHN Housing Services @ Walker 0191 278 8455

YHN Housing Services @ West End 0191 277 1484

Adaptations 0191 278 3842

Customer Involvement 0191 278 8720

Community Care Alarm Service 0191 278 8699

Envirocall 0191 278 7878

HASBET (Housing Anti-SocialBehaviour Enforcement Team) 0191 278 8740

Housing Advice Centre 0191 277 1711

Housing Options Centre 0191 277 2020

Leasehold 0191 278 7725

Newcastle Furniture Service (NFS) 0191 278 1888

Repairs Centre and Gas Servicing 0191 277 8888

Young People’s Service 0191 277 1190Rent 这是有关您的租金账户的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278

8633 索取。 Repairs 这是有关要求维修您的住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191

278 8633 索取。 Right to Buy 这是有关租客有权购买他们的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致

电 0191 278 8633 索取。 Tenancy 这是有关您作为纽卡斯尔市政租客所需要承担的责任的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语

言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。 YCH 这是有关我们的出租服务的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278

8633 索取。 YHN general / Homes + People

这是有关代表纽卡斯尔市政府（Newcastle City Council）负责管理市政房屋的 Your Homes Newcastle（您的纽卡斯尔住房）组织的信息，内容解释了我们是如何运作。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其

它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。

Rent 這是關於您的租金賬戶的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。

Repairs 這是關於如何要求維修您住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。

Right to Buy 這是關於租客有權購買他們的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致

電 0191 278 8633 索取。 Tenancy 這是關於您作為紐卡素市政府租客所需要承擔的責任的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語

言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。 YCH 這是關於我們的出租服務的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278

8633 索取。 YHN general / Homes + People

這是關於 Your Homes Newcastle（您的紐卡素住房）機構的信息，內容解釋了我們代表紐卡素市政府

（Newcastle City Council）負責管理市政房屋以及如何運作。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它

語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。

0191 278 8633 †dvb K‡i Avcwb GKwU wjwLZ Abyev‡ì Rb¨ ej‡Z cv‡ib| Newcastle Furniture service

GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvg wbDK¨vmj- KvDwÝ‡ji dvwb©Pvi mvwf©m mg‡Ü hviv †Ubv›U‡ì Ni evox mvRv‡Z mvnv‡hï Rb¨ dvwb©Pvi mieivn K‡i| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤̂v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Rent GB Z_¨ nj Avcbvi †i›U GKvD›U (fvovi wnmve wbKvm) m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Repairs GB Z_¨ nj Avcbvi Ni evox †givgZ Ki‡Z PvIqv m¤^‡Ü|GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Right to Buy GB Z_¨ nj †Ubv›U‡ì KvDwÝ‡ji Ni evox †Kbvi AwaKvi m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Tenancy GB Z_¨ nj wbDKvm¨vj KvDwÝ‡ji †Ubv›U wnmv‡e Avcbvi `vq `vwqZ¡ m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

YCH GB Z_¨ nj Avgv‡ì †jwUs mvwf©m( fvov welqK) m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

YHN general/Homes + People

GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj mg‡Ü| Ges Avgiv wKfv‡e `vwqZ¡ cvjb KiwQ †m mg‡Ü| BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj, wbDK¨vmj wmwU KvDwÝ‡ji c‡¶ KvDwÝ‡ji Ni evox eë¯’vcbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

YHN general / Homes + People

اسل ، نيوك شهردارى از سوى اين سازمان. عملكرد آن است و » شما در نیوکاسل هاى خانه«درباره سازمان اين اطالعات مسئوليت اداره خانه هاى دولتى را به عهده دارد. در صورت نياز به اين اطالعات به زبان فارسى يا زبان هاى ديگر با شماره تلفن

٠١٩١٢٧٨٨۶٣٣ تماس بگيريد.

téléphoner au 0191 278 8633 pour obtenir une traduction écrite.

Newcastle Furniture service

Ces informations concernent le service « mobilier » de Your Homes Newcastle, qui fournit du mobilier aux locataires pour les aider à s’installer dans leur logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Rent Ces informations concernent votre loyer. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Repairs Ces informations concernent les demandes de travaux pour votre logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Right to Buy Ces informations concernent les droits des locataires relatifs à l’acquisition de leur logement social. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Tenancy Ces informations concernent vos responsabilités en tant que locataire de la municipalité de Newcastle. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

YCH Ces informations concernent notre service de location. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.


Ces informations concernent Your Homes Newcastle : qui est chargé de gérer les logements sociaux au nom de la municipalité de Newcastle et comment nous procédons. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

RepairsóäbmóØòìíäb‚@ñòìóä†‹ÙØbš@üi@ðîŒaí‚a†@ðmóïäüš@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@NîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷@ói@óäb

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ0191 278 8633ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@N

Right to Buy òŠb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@î‹Ø@üi@çbåï“å–‹Ø@Àbà@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@N@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói0191 278 8633ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@N

Tenancyóîa‡Ý—bØüïä@óÜ@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðÙ—åï“å–‹Ø@íØòì@òí—÷@ðäbØóïmóîb‹qŠói@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@N@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷0191 278 8633q@ç‹i@ñ‡äòí—N

YCHóîóá—÷@ð–‹Ø@ðäbØómóà‚@ ói@pòŠbió@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷@ N@Šóè@ bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ ói@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@ óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

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@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷Your Homes Newcastle@òìóÝ—bØüïä@ñŠb’@ñaŠü’@çóîý@óÜ@óØ@óîóØóä†‹ØŠbØ@ðmóïäüš@ì@

pbÙi@ðmóîaŠóiòí–Šói@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@óØ@òìaŠ‡—q@ñòìó÷@ðØŠó÷@N@ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ0191 278 8633i@ñ‡äòí—q@ç‹N

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Rent Esta informação refere-se à sua renda. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra

língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Repairs Esta informação refere-se ao pedido de reparações em sua casa. Se precisar desta informação em

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Right to Buy Esta informação refere-se ao direito que os inquilinos têm de comprar a sua habitação social. Se

precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Tenancy Esta informação refere-se às suas responsabilidades como inquilino social em Newcastle. Se

precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. YCH Esta informação refere-se ao serviço de arrendamento. Se precisar desta informação em

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. YHN general / Homes + People

Esta informação refere-se à Your Homes Newcastle, a organização responsável pela gestão da habitação social em nome do Município de Newcastle, e a nossa situação actual. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633.

idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Repairs Ésta es información sobre cómo pedir que se realicen reparaciones en su casa. Si necesita esta

información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Right to Buy Ésta es información sobre los derechos de los inquilinos a comprar su vivienda municipal. Si necesita

esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Tenancy Ésta es información sobre sus responsabilidades como inquilino municipal de Newcastle. Si necesita

esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. YCH Ésta es información sobre nuestro servicio de adjudicación. Si necesita esta información en español

o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. YHN general / Homes + People

Ésta es información sobre Your Homes de Newcastle, que es la responsable de gestionar las viviendas municipales en nombre del Ayuntamiento de Newcastle, y sobre nuestra manera de hacerlo. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633.

This is ‘Homes & People’ the newsletter for Newcastle council tenants and leaseholders. If you want this information in your own language we will arrange for an interpreter to help you on 0191 278 8633. This information is also available in easy read, large print, Braille and audio tape. We can also arrange for you to see a British Sign Language interpreter.

Contents

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In this issue

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January/February 2015

Bringing you all the news that matters to youhomes people&

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NCC and YHN Survey 2014Newcastle City Council is currently reviewing the way in which council

tenants can influence decisions that are made about their homes, and

how they can challenge those decisions.







you live in.

Please take the time to complete the survey on the opposite page to tell us your views.



Please send us your completed survey using the FREEPOST address XXXX by


Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and I wish you the best of luck in your

prize draw entry.


your home and the local environment.

Strongly agree Agree Strongly disagree Disagree Don’t know


and neighbourhood issues? Tick all the options that apply to you.




Fill in a survey or questionnaire Contact an MP I don’t get involved


3 From the methods you have ticked above, which do think gives you the strongest voice

and has the most influence on decisions made?



Attend my local residents meeting Meeting organised by YHN Meeting organised by NCC




• Welcome

Page 4 • How much is a tenner actually worth?

Page 5 • Aged 16 - 24 and looking for work?• We need your vote

Page 6 • Universal Credit:coming soon

Page 7-8 • How do you give your views?

Page 9 • Getting you switched on• Changes to our housing offi ces

Page 11 • £25 prize wordsearch

Page 12 • Jobs and training

Read previous editions online: www.yhn.org.uk/tenancy_services/homes_people

It’s been a while since we fi rst talked to you about the introduction of Universal Credit, but we now know that it is going to be coming to the North East this spring so we thought it was a good time to refresh your memory and offer some useful information.

Throughout the pages of the newsletter you’ll fi nd more information on what Universal Credit is and how it could affect you, as well as projects we’re working on to make it easier for tenants claiming the benefi t and some training and employment opportunities we have available.

As we enter a new year, it’s a great time to make resolutions and start the year in a positive frame of mind. And if you’re currently out of work but keen to get back into employment then some of our work placements might be just what you’re looking for. Take a look at our training and events calendar on the back page of the newsletter.

You’ll also fi nd a survey on pages 7 and 8 that we’ve developed with Newcastle City Council. It’s to help the Council review the way you can get involved in decisions that are made about your home and how you can challenge them. That means decisions the Council makes as well as things we do on behalf of the Council. The survey is short so should only take you a few minutes to complete, so we’d really appreciate you taking the time to fi ll it in and return it to us.

We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to making the mostof 2015!

Neil ScottDirector of Tenancy Services

Welcome to the Universal Credit edition of Homes & People!

page 3

How much is a tenner actually worth?

We’re changing theway you receiveHomes & People

Well, in the case of Wansbeck House in Lemington, it’s £240! That’s how much residents from the scheme managed to raise in the “grow a tenner” competition they took part in.

The competition was organised by Rookie Sports and YHN and encouraged older people to organise fundraising activities to see how much they could turn £10 into.

Groups from sheltered housing schemes across the city were given £10, some fundraising ideas, a prize incentive and sent off on their four-week challenge. The funds that the groups raised were then donated to The Caddy Shacks - a local group of adults with learning disabilities in Fawdon.

Seven YHN sheltered schemes took part and a group from Benwell Hall Drive who live in properties managed by Home Group also asked to be involved as they were keen to help. Collectively, the groups managed to raise over £800, but Wansbeck House in Lemington were the stand out group who “grew” their tenner into a massive £240. They bought prizes for a raffl e, then used the raffl e proceeds to hold a ticketed pie and pea supper with a Rookie Golf match, then used those proceeds to hold a fi sh and chip lunch, a soup day, another pie and pea supper and two bingo sessions!

Everyone was thrilled with the result and as a thank you we gave the Wansbeck House group a £50 shopping voucher. The group presented the funds to the Caddy Shacks at a special event at Wansbeck House and a game of Rookie Golf was held in celebration!

June Shone, from Rookie Sports, said: “We were delighted with the amount of money that was raised in a short space of time. We have also been extremely impressed at the enterprise shown by all groups and the variety of ways used to raise the money.“

The other sheltered schemes that got involved were Conewood House, Dr. Ryan House, Iris Steedman House, Keebledale House, Margaret Collins House, Wansbeck House, and Welbeck Green.

You will no doubt have noticed that with this edition of the newsletter you have also received your quarterly rent statement.

This means we’re sending fewer things to you in the post and means the money we save on postage can go back into other services.

Your rent statement is an important document that we send you, so we wanted to let you know about this change so that you don’t accidentally throw it away once you’ve read the newsletter. If you do throw it away by accident you can still check your statement online by registering atwww.yhn.org.uk

page 4

Your vote,your choice Voting guide

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Aged 16 – 24? Looking for work?Apprenticeship opportunity!We offer a range of roles to our young customers in areas such as business administration, customer service and ICT. Working in these areas with us could provide your fi rst step on a career path towards working in HR, fi nance, a call centre or as a computer programmer.

Even if you’ve never considered an apprenticeship before, this is a great way for you to get some really valuable work experience for your CV and to gain an NVQ Level 2 as well as other qualifi cations.

We’re not as interested in your previous work experience as we are in your enthusiasm and desire to become a valued member of our team. In fact, some of the people we’ve had working on an apprenticeship haven’t had a job before and now they’re doing really well and working for us permanently.

There are lots of other benefi ts that come with working with YHN too - we offer great holiday entitlement, a decent wage and a lovely working environment.

And you don’t just have to take our word for it – Nikita McDonald completed an apprenticeship

in our Own Your Own customer service team and now works as a business support assistant for the Newcastle Furniture Service. She said: “YHN is a great employer and offers a lot to staff. You will gain a lot of qualifi cations and experience during your time and it’s a big company so a placement here, for however long, will look good on your CV.”

Interested? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact us by Friday 30 January on 0191 278 8600, email [email protected] or text “apprentice” to 07814 753 088.

You can also fi nd us on Facebook by searching “Your Homes Newcastle” and follow us on Twitter @NewsfromYHN

Some of our current apprentices

page 5

With this edition of Homes & People you will fi nd your You’ve got the Power Round 2 voting guide. Your vote really does count, so please take the time to read through the guide, fi ll in the form and return it to us using the Freepost address. You could see some real improvements to yours and many other estates across the city. Your vote could mean the difference between a scheme being successful or not. You have until Friday 6 February to get your voting form back to us.

We need your vote

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19/12/2014 11:18

Universal Credit:coming soonYou may remember that a few editions ago we talked to you about Universal Credit – the government’s single benefit to replace:

• Income Support• Income related jobseeker’s allowance• Income related employment support allowance• Housing Benefit• Working tax credit

• Child tax credit

We have now been given confirmation that those people eligible to receive Universal Credit will start to transfer over to it in Spring 2015.

It will be rolled out in stages so not everyone will transfer to Universal Credit at the same time. From 27 April 2015 new claims from single jobseekers (who would otherwise have been eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance) including those with existing Housing Benefit and Working Tax Credit claims will claim for Universal Credit.

Please note that if you live in the east end and sign on at Wallsend Job Centre these changes will not affect you as North Tyneside is not moving to Universal Credit at the same time as Newcastle.

What does it mean for you?It means that instead of receiving separate payments for each of the individual benefits you will receive one payment, and it will be paid directly to you. That includes the housing element of the benefit, so instead of Housing Benefit paying your rent directly to the landlord, you will have to pay the rent yourself out of your Universal Credit payment. The other big change is that you will receive your benefit monthly instead of every two weeks as you do now.

You will also be expected to manage and claim your Universal Credit online. It’s a bit like online banking. If you don’t currently have access to the Internet or know how to get online, we can help. There are lots of free sessions across the city that will help to teach you the basics of using the

Internet including how to use Universal Jobmatch - a free service that enables you to search for and apply for jobs.

To receive Universal Credit you’ll also need to sign a ‘claimant commitment’. This is an agreement that you’ll complete certain tasks in order to claim.

What you agree to do will depend on things such as your health, your responsibilities at home and how much help you need to get work or increase your income.

You will also need a bank account as your Universal Credit will be paid directly into this. You will not receive cash. If you don’t already have a bank account and aren’t sure how to go about opening one, call our Income Accounts team on 0191 278 7749 who can help.

How do you give your views? NCC and YHN survey 2015Newcastle City Council is looking at how council tenants can influence decisions that are made about their homes, and how they can challenge those decisions.

This applies to the decisions taken by the Council as your landlord but also includes the policies Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) is asked to carry out on behalf of the Council.

These decisions could be about local housing policy as agreed by the City Council, or national policies set by Central Government.

They want to improve the opportunities available to you to ensure that your views are understood. We want to make sure that you can get involved – whichever part of the city you live in.

Please take the time to complete the survey.

All completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £25 Eldon Square vouchers.

Please send your completed survey to Customer Involvement, FREEPOST RTJE-YLHB-RUYK, Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by Tuesday 3 February 2015.


1 Do you agree or disagree that you can influence the services and decisions that affect your home and the local environment?

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’t know

2 Please tell us how you currently give your views about your local area, housing services and neighbourhood issues? (Tick all the options that apply to you.)






3 From the methods you have ticked above, which do you think gives you the strongest voice and has the most influence on decisions made? (Please tick the three options that give you the most influence)






#

4 Where do you get information about decisions made by the City Council or YHN from? (Tick all the options that apply to you.)

Letters or newsletters from YHN Letters or newsletters from the City Council

Neighbours Go to local Housing Office Contact officers directly

Posters/notice boards Attending ward meetings Social media: Facebook or Twitter

Attending a local tenants meeting Websites Newspapers

Other:

5 Do you think that you receive the right level of information about plans and decisions being made by the City Council or YHN that affect you and where you live?

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’t know

6 Would you like more information about how to get involved in how decisions are made about your home and environment?

Yes No

7 If yes, on which of the following items would you like to share your views with us?

Influencing City Council and YHN policies and strategies

Challenging decisions made by the City Council and YHN

Plans and regeneration of your local area Local budgets

Housing services Environmental issues Crime and antisocial behaviour

Other:

8 What is the best way to inform you about the opportunities for involvement or keep you up to date on issues?

Email YHN/Council newsletter Social media Other:

9 Do you currently receive any support to help you express your views about issues that affect your home and environment?

Yes No

(If yes please tell us who provides this support):

10 Is there any additional support that we could provide that would help you get more involved in how decisions are made about your home and environment?

Yes No

(If yes please tell us what support you require for example this could be independent advice and

support, help from a residents’ group or assistance from NCC or YHN officers):

To be entered into the prize draw please tell us your:

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Email: Tel:

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Please tick this box if you wish to be contacted in the future to be involved in housing consultations (please note you will need to provide us with your name and contact details)

#

Since the start of the year we have been looking at how we can offer affordable Internet access to all our customers. We believe that being able to get online and access things like public services, online shopping and job websites is really important. Being able to use the Internet allows us to connect with friends, save time and money and access a wealth of information.

And with Universal Credit due to launch in the North East in Spring, it’s more important than ever that you are able to get online if you intend to claim for the new benefi t.

That’s why we’ve been working with Newcastle City Council on a project to make free Wi-Fi Internet access available, on a phased basis, within easy reach of all council tenants in the city.

We’ll be telling you more as and when we make progress with the project. In the meantime, if you would like to fi nd out more about the benefi ts of getting online or fi nd out where to access pcs and the Internet in Newcastle visit www.yhn.org.uk and go to our Get Switched On page.

On 24 December 2014 we closed some of our satellite offi ces. It was the next stage in our service review whichwas launched back in June and resulted in us reducing the number of offi ces to fi ve main “hubs” and three smaller satellite offi ces.

We did this because customers told us that they’d rather have staff out on our estates dealing with issues than tied to offi ces where the number of visitors was falling.

We originally kept the satellite offi ces open because we still wanted to offer a service in those areas where you might fi nd it diffi cult to get to a hub. However, the number of visitors to these smaller offi ces has been very low due to customers contacting us in different ways – such as phone, online and home visits.

So on 24 December 2014 we closed our satellite offi ces in Cruddas Park, Gosforth and Newbiggin Hall and wrote to all customers who had visited those offi ces.

If you missed the letter or have recently moved to one of these areas and need to contact your local offi ce, your nearest hub is now:

Satellite offi ce Hub Tel number

Cruddas Park YHN Housing Services @ West End 0191 277 1484

Gosforth Library andLearning Centre

YHN Housing Services @ Kenton 0191 277 4360

Newbiggin Hall YHN Housing Services @ Outer West 0191 277 7940

Getting you switched on

Changes to our housing offi ces

SWITCHEDON

GET

www.yhn.org.uk

This offi ce is closing onWednesday 24 December.From Friday 2 January 2015 your

nearest offi ce will be Outer West CSC, tel: 0191 277 7940If you have any questions please

speak to a member of staff.You can still report repairs as normal on 0191 278 7878

or by emailing [email protected]

ClosedThis offi ce is closing on

Wednesday 24 December.From Friday 2 January 2015 your

nearest offi ce will be Outer West CSC, If you have any questions please

0191 278 [email protected]

Closed

www.yhn.org.uk

This offi ce is closing onWednesday 24 December.From Friday 2 January 2015 your nearest offi ce will be Kenton CSC,tel: 0191 277 4360

If you have any questions pleasespeak to a member of staff.You can still report repairs as normal on 0191 278 7878or by emailing [email protected]

Closed

www.yhn.org.ukwww.yhn.org.uk

This offi ce is closing onThis offi ce is closing onWednesday 24 December.Wednesday 24 December.

From Friday 2 January 2015 your From Friday 2 January 2015 your nearest offi ce will be Kenton CSC,nearest offi ce will be Kenton CSC,tel: 0191 277 4360

If you have any questions pleaseIf you have any questions pleasespeak to a member of staff.

speak to a member of staff.You can still report repairs as normal on 0191 278 78780191 278 7878or by emailing [email protected]

[email protected]

Closed

www.yhn.org.uk

This offi ce is closing on

Wednesday 24 December.

From Friday 2 January 2015 your

nearest offi ce will be West End CSC,

tel: 0191 277 1484

If you have any questions please

speak to a member of staff.

You can still report repairs as normal on 0191 278 7878

or by emailing [email protected]

Closed

YHN takes anti-social behaviour (ASB) very seriously and will not tolerate it

in the properties we manage.IF WE KNOW ABOUT ASB WE WILL DEAL WITH IT. So if you see,

hear or are otherwise aware of ASB taking place, please report it to us.You can do this anonymously by:

• Contacting the Enquiry Centre using your intercom or by calling on0191 278 8699

• Calling the Concierge Service on Freephone 0800 0731 389 (free from landlines only) or 24 hour line on 0191 278 6888

• Contact HASBET (YHN’s specialist ASB team) by calling 0191 278 8740or email [email protected]

• Northumbria Police non-emergency number 101 (call 999 for emergencies)

• You can also report online by visiting www.yhn.org.uk and click on anti-social behaviour on the homepage

You can also report incidents through the My Landlord app(you can download this free using your App store or Google Play)

REMEMBER -if we know about itwe will deal with it.

page 10

£25 prize wordsearchComplete the wordsearch to win a £25 Eldon Square voucher to spend on whatever you fancy!

Send your completed puzzle along with your name, address and a daytime telephone number to: Homes & People competition, Communications team, Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by Friday 27 February.

Please note: competitions are only open to tenants and leaseholders with no rent arrears.

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Daytime telephone number:

Access

Caddy shacks

Estates

Free Wi-Fi

Fundraising

Get switched on

Grow a tenner

Internet

Kenton

North East

Online

Outer West

Schemes

Services

Tenants

Universal Credit

West end

You’ve got the power

page 11

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Jobs & training

Business BootcampAm:pm is an exciting two week Business & Wellbeing bootcamp to get you work ready. Each day, companies like Barclays, Northumbrian Water and McDonalds come and teach you about customer service, resilience, fi nance & budgeting, teamwork, entrepreneurship and equality & diversity from an employer’s perspective.

There’s a guaranteed interview for everyone who completes the course and opportunities for those who work hard, show lots of enthusiasm and have the right attitude. If you are looking for an exciting new career in hospitality and catering, retail, admin or sales this course could be for you.

The next course will start on 9th February 2015 at The Beacon on the West Road. To book a place please;

• Phone 0191 278 8600• Text ‘bootcamp’ to 07814 753 088• E-mail [email protected]

Practical SkillsWe have 22 six month paid placementsavailable covering:

• Manual handling• Health and safety at work• Asbestos awareness• SHARPs awareness• Team working• Customer service• Dealing with diffi cult situations,• Employability (CV and application form writing)• Interview skills training and• A guaranteed interview

To secure an interview for a placement you will need to attend a pre-employment practical skills course for three weeks part-time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9.30am till 2.30pm.

The next course will take place in February/March 2015 for gardening and community environmental assistant placements.

To be eligible for the course you must live in a YHN managed property, be unemployed and over the age of 16.

Offi ce Admin and Customer ServiceBook a place on our fi ve week training course and you could be in with a chance to work for YHN for 6 months starting in April 2015. The course will run on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30am till 2.30pm and will cover:

• Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint• Customer service• Telephone skills• Team working• Health and safety at work• Employability (covering letters, CVs and

Application forms)Additional training opportunitiesAre you interested in a job in:

1 Catering and hospitality2 Construction or3 Retail?

If you are we can help:

• Phone: 0191 278 8600• Text: ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’ with your name and

address to 07815 784 037• Email: [email protected]

Get on trackIf you’d like to receive regular updatesfrom us about other job and training news why not sign up to receive our On Track e-newsletter? To register you can [email protected]; call 0191 277 3663 and tell us your email address or text your name and email address to 07814 753 088.

Jobs and training fairWhat are you doing on Tuesday 10 February 2015? Well if you’re looking for work and training opportunities then you need to be at our jobs and training fair! You can:

• Find out about over 60 exciting job vacancies and work placements in a range of industries

• Sign up to training courses with guaranteed interviews on completion

• Speak to potential employers about what they’re looking for in an employee

It’s an event not to be missed!

So come along to St. James’ Park, Magpie Suite any time from 9.30 am on 10 February and start your journey to a new career.

To book your place and for more information:

• Call 0191 278 8600• Text ‘job fair’ and your name to 07815784037• Email: [email protected]

homes & people january 2015

Documents

yhn meeting

council tenants

viewsnewcastle city

homes newcastle yhn

ncc meeting

local housing policy

yhn house

local area